Spanning an era of cultural rebirth in Europe that harkened back to antiquity, the Renaissance was a time of change in design. From the late 1400s to the early 1600s, Rome, Venice and Florence emerged as artistic centers through the expansion of global trade and a humanist belief in the arts being central to society. Antique Renaissance furniture was ornately carved from sturdy woods like walnut, its details standing out against the tapestries and stained glass adorning the walls.
Renaissance chests, which were frequently commissioned for marriages, were often decorated with gilding or painted elements. Those that were known as cassoni were crafted in shapes based on classical sarcophagi. As opposed to the medieval era, when furniture was pared down to the necessities, a wide range of Renaissance chairs, tables and cabinets were created for the home, and the designs regularly referenced ancient Rome.
Large torchères of the Renaissance era that were used as floor lamps were inspired by classical candelabras, while marble surfaces evoked frescoes. The inlaid boxes being imported from the Middle East informed the intarsia technique, which involved varying hues of wood in mosaic-like patterns, such as those by architect Giuliano da Maiano in the Florence Cathedral.
Tapestry-woven cushion covers accented the variety of Renaissance seating — from conversation to study chairs — while bookcases for secular use reflected the migration of culture and knowledge from the church into the home. The aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance later spread to France through the publishing of work by renowned designers, including Hugues Sambin and Jacques Androuet du Cerceau. Centuries later, the 19th-century Renaissance Revival would see a return to this influential style.
Find a collection of antique Renaissance case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Chair Stool Hall Sgabello Pair 16 Century Venetian Renaissance Carved Sculpture
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The quality of these exhuberant backstools demonstrate why Italian Renaissance furniture was as highly prized as old-master paintings. Th...
Walnut
Pair of Early 18th Century Renaissance Style Sgabello Hall Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A remarkable pair of oak and walnut hall chairs after the Italian Renaissance designs which were adapted by the English in the early 18th century. This form of decorative stool was s...
Oak, Walnut
Set of 4 Antique Italian Walnut Side Tables or Stools with Carved Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful set of 4 antique Italian solid walnut side tables or stools with squared and beveled seat or top standing on four beautifully carved legs. This Italian walnut stools or sid...
Wood
$2,144Sale Price / set|20% Off
Italian 17th Century Style Pair of Tuscan "Sgabelli" Painted Stools
Located in Encinitas, CA
These Italian 17th Century Style Pair of Tuscan "Sgabelli" Painted Stools are handcrafted in Italy and made to order. They are in perfect structural and in beautiful condition, with white backs and pale blue accents...
Chestnut
Henri II Walnut Stool Early 17th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely and rare Henri II style stool in walnut from the early 17th century from France. A rare piece consisting of four balusters resting on a base . Very beautiful octagonal top it ...
Walnut
Chair Backstool Set of 5 Renaissance Oak English Architectural Velvet Sage Green
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A set of exceptionally rare, English, late-Renaissance, oak, architectural, backstools upholstered in a sage green 19th century Renaissance-revival velvet - The architectural insp...
Oak
$1,138
Oak Stool
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Exquisite early 19th-century English oak stool in the High Period style. A rare collector's item with a superb turned base. Beautiful rectangular top with a curved edge. Suitable a...
Oak
19th Century Stool in Renaissance Style
Located in Paris, FR
Renaissance style stool with a leather seat stretched across an X-shaped frame. The nails used to fasten the seat to the base are flower shaped and the sides of the frame are sculpte...
Leather, Wood
$1,195
H 13 in W 11.03 in D 12.6 in
Hand-Carved, Wabi Sabi, Solid Wood, Sculptural, Log Stool, Side Table, Walnut
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as a stool, side table, pedestal, night table or many more. Carved from a single piece of wa...
Wood, Walnut
$719 / set
H 25.6 in W 13.78 in D 10.63 in
Set of 2 Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 medium Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 27 x W 35 x H 65 cm Materials: oak wood Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is a se...
Oak
Walnut Round Top Foundation Side Table / Stool
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood stool / side table in stunning hand oiled Oregon Black Walnut. With a clean and minimal design, these stools are handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joiner...
Walnut
Antique Chinese Side Table or Stool, Hand-Crafted Wood, 19th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Asian stool has a square top and a balanced form with timeless rustic appeal. Beautifully worn from a century of use, the aged wood pat...
Wood
$1,850 / set
H 45 in W 17.5 in D 16 in
Pair of Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Side Chairs 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A PAIR OF ITALIAN RENAISSANCE STYLE WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS 19TH CENTURY, INCORPORATING EARLIER ELEMENTS In solid walnut with straight seats, gilt acanthus leaf finials, carved front st...
Walnut
17th Century Style Joint Stool
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood ‘Joynt’ stool, with a serpentine apron on pegged splay legs joined by a stretcher. The original 17th century. Dimensions: 22" W x 12" D x 18" H.
Wood
17th Century English Oak Joint Stool / Bench
Located in San Francisco, CA
17th century English oak joint stool / bench Jacobean style stool / bench Hand crafted English oak Measures: 18" wide x 12" deep x 16" high. The oak shows some distress...
Oak
$3,182
H 19.3 in W 20.87 in D 16.54 in
Antique Dutch 17th Century Baroque Cherrywood Upholstered Stool Ottoman C.1690
Located in London, GB
Antique Dutch 17th Century Baroque Cherrywood Upholstered Stool Ottoman C.1690 Good antique condition; frame solid and stable; patination consistent with age. Re-upholstery of drop-...
Fruitwood
English Georgian 18th Century Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
English Georgian 18th Century Hall Chair. Overall great condition with age appropriate wear. Measures approximately 38.75" in overall height. Seat meas...
Wood
$8,306
H 32.29 in W 64.57 in D 21.26 in
Antique 18th Century Spanish Walnut Wall Table or Side-Table with Turned Legs
Located in Casteren, NL
A rare Spanish walnut side table or wall table that was made in Spain in the mid 18th century. This table is unique because of its intricately turned legs. The legs' top block featur...
Walnut
$5,000 / set
H 38.5 in W 17 in D 21.5 in
Set of 6 English Renaissance Ornately-Carved Hall Chairs, Turn of 19th & 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English set of six Renaissance style elaborately carved hall chairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This set of antique board chairs from England each have been ornately hand-carved in a series of grotesque figures, embellished with swags, volutes, leaves. An arched crest further adorns the toprail. Center backs show a shied entwined with helmet and arrows. The seats, with their decoratively trim carved edges, are raised by a pair of shapely legs consisting of two carved boards, with front leg board continuing the mythological them of the back. These turn of the century chairs...
Wood
Walnut Staple Stool / Side Table
Located in Portland, OR
Oregon Black Walnut stool / side table is made to last. Handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material's workshop. Availab...
Walnut
Sold
H 25.25 in W 22.25 in D 17.5 in
Set Four (4) painted steel Italian Savonarola Style Stools / Benches
Located in New York, NY
Set of four (4) vintage Italian Savonarola/ Empire style painted steel metal stools or benches with lovely seat cushions with lush upholstery depicting stylized pomegranates on a g...
Metal
Sold
H 24.02 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with star shaped centra...
Wood
Sold
H 23.23 in W 21.26 in D 17.33 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with star shaped centra...
Wood
Antique Italian Walnut Round Side Table with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features round top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with optogonal star shaped ...
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 22.45 in D 19.69 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with optogonal star sha...
Wood
Sold
H 22.84 in W 14.97 in D 22.84 in
Antique Italian Walnut Coffee Side Table with Bobbin Turned Legs Brass Wheels
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table with beveled edges over four beautifully bobbin turned carved legs ending with brass wheels.
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 20.08 in D 24.02 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table, features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with star shaped centra...
Wood
Sold
H 17.33 in W 14.57 in D 16.15 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table or stool features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with optogonal ...
Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 15 in D 14 in
Pair of 19th Century French Black and Gilt Wrought Iron Curule "Dagobert" Stools
Located in Dallas, TX
Place these elegant antique stools as extra seating in a den or game room! Crafted in France circa 1870 and made of solid iron, each chair stands on forged "Dagobert" (or Curule) leg...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 18.51 in W 18.51 in D 16.15 in
Antique Italian Hexagonal Black Walnut Side Table Stool with Bobbin Turned Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table or stool features hexagonal top with beveled edges over six beautifully bobbin turned legs, connected to one another with optogonal ...
Wood
Spanish Iron Folding X-Base Stool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful vintage hand forged wrought-iron folding stool with vintage scalloped edge fabric. A hand-forged twisty and curling X-base with connecting stretcher is topped with plush ...
Iron
French Painted & Upholstered Stool with X Base
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This fantastic stool is the perfect antique to dress up any space. Hand-crafted in France in the 19th century this stool has been recently upholstered in a soft black and white herri...
Wool, Wood, Paint